Strike in Kathmandu

Yesterday, a strike started in KTM regarding the deadline for the extension of the Constituent Assembly on May 28. Most likely, the strike will end before our arrival on June 5. Sarah is leaving for KTM tonight and will keep us posted from the ground (follow Bodhi Tree Foundation on facebook for immediate updates). You can read the article in the Nepali Times and follow the news each day: http://www.nepalitimes.com/blogs/thebrief/2011/05/23/back-to-the-capital/

thermarests and trash bags!

Hey all! So we are 11 days away! Holy Cow! So a few things to know. Your thermarest needs to be opened before we get to Nepal! They have been packed in that tiny bag since they were made so it is going to take it a while to fully self inflate open it now and let it sit out till we leave. That way when we get on the mountain you are not sleeping on a mat that isn't inflating. Also I bought a box of trash compactor bags that are now in Amye's Office, feel free to take some.

On another note I've started a personal blog for the trip and this is the link... Can't wait to see you all again! http://elizabethtrekkingnepal.blogspot.com/

Reminder for Last Minute To Do's

1. Get Extra Passport photos

2. Purchase Travel and evacuation insurance at http://www.inext.com/ (Minimum requirement: Platinum Plan for $88)

3. Submit idea for culminating project to Amye and Erika before Thursday, June 2 (feel free to call us if you want to discuss your ideas - syllabus coming soon)

4. Complete the Reading Response Sheets as much as possible before departure; they must be completed before landing in Kathmandu

5. Complete “Travel Quick Reference Form” and send to Erika (in dropbox under "Readings")

6. Make scans of your passport, driver’s license, regular health insurance card, and debit/credit cards you’re bringing and send to Erika

7. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED PURCHASES in addition to packing list:

Inflatable Neck Pillow for Plane

Money Belt

Bandaids

Neosporin

Moleskin

Blister packs

Athletic Tape

Benadryl

Imodium-AD (loperamide)

Pocket knife or scissors

Pocket Hand Sanitizer

Duct tape (put around trekking poles instead of carrying the roll)

Vitamins (multi-vitamin, C or immunity booster such as Airborne or Emergen-C)
General Antibiotics (Cipro or Z-pack)
Minimum 20 Electrolyte tablets (Nuun or Hammer)
Mark All prescription drugs with brand and generic name with instructions on purpose of drug and dosage (think if you are passed out or get amnesia)

*Thanks to Student Government, everyone has a large-mouthed Nalgene and Headlamp

Continue to Amaze Me!

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=240400
Kathmandu, May 23 (IANS): A 30-year-old Nepali guru, believed by his followers to be a divine being with supernatural powers, has created a record in the spiritual world by meditating for 27 hours - on Mt Everest, the highest peak in the world.
Bhakta Kumar Rai, born in an ethnic community in a remote village in Udaypur district in eastern Nepal, transformed himself into "Supreme Master Godangel" after founding a sect, the Heavenly Path, when he was only 18.
Rai's followers, who are scattered over Nepal, India, Hong Kong, Britain and Malaysia, regard him as an angel sent by God to earth to propagate peace, eradicate poverty and encourage self-healing. He is also credited by disciples with having performed miracles from an early age.
The 30-year-old did create a miracle on Mt Everest, summiting the 8,848m peak Friday and staying up for an incredible 32 hours, out of which he spent 27 hours meditating for world peace.
"He reached the summit at 5.30 a.m. on Friday and stayed up meditating till 1 p.m. the next day," said Laxman Bhattarai, spokesperson at Nepal's tourism ministry."Supreme Master Godangel spent 32 hours on the summit, meditating for 27 hours," Heavenly Path officials in Kathmandu told IANS.
"He used oxygen only for 11 hours."It is an incredible feat that breaks the record of the longest stay on Mt Everest.

Let s Not Forget, Sherpas Are Super Human

 Check it out!

Kathmandu, Nepal (CNN) -- A 52-year-old Nepalese man reached the top of Mount Everest for the 21st time on Wednesday, breaking a record he set last year for the number of ascents of the world's tallest peak, a tourism official ministry said.
Apa Sherpa first climbed Everest in 1990 while helping international expeditions climb the mountain.
Since 2008, he has been climbing Everest as part of an expedition to highlight the effects of climate change and to collect trash on the mountains.
He started from Camp IV at an altitude of 7,950 meters with five other climbers on Tuesday night and reached on Wednesday morning, according to Asian Trekking, which organized the expedition.

Sherpa is the climbing leader of the expedition, which collects trash such as oxygen cylinders, tent poles, tents and other mountaineering equipment from the mountain.

Hiking Boots

If you need new hiking boots/trail running shoes, today should be the LAST DAY that you purchase them. If you buy them today, I encourage you to wear them every moment for the next two weeks to break them in. PS - Have any of you been double dipping and having multi-sport days? It's my favorite part of springtime - lots of days to ski and bike in the sunshine!!

Yesterday was the 15 day marker until we begin our journey to Nepal and my excitement level is increasing each day. Yesterday I watched Nati Baratz 2008 documentary,"Unmistaken Child." I highly recommend watching it if you haven't already! It made me really begin to understand the dedication and practice of choosing a reincarnated Lama in this day of age. This film drove me to do more research about the Kopan Monastery in Katmandu that we will visit and be near. This clip is an informative summary and interesting short film about Kopan and the history of Buddhism in the West.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XEI_j1BeSk&feature=relmfu

Can't wait to get there with everyone!

-Jen